Overview

If a surgeon errs during an operation, the consequences-however dire-are limited to one or a few people. In contrast, an engineering failure usually causes multiple injuries and deaths, as well as destruction. Some examples: space shuttle Challenger explosion, car fires, gulf oil rig tragedy, amusement ride accidents, and plane crashes. These, and too many other engineering catastrophes, share one feature-employers responsible for the failures were exempt from requirements to put, in charge, competent and accountable licensed engineers (professional engineers, PEs) whose paramount responsibility was public protection. These industries, manufacturers, and utilities placed importance on the bottom line instead of safety. The problem is compounded by an inadequate 90-year old education model used by the American engineering licensing system. The education for those aspiring to be PEs should match 21st century scientific, technological, social, political, economic, and environmental conditions. This disparity puts the public at risk. How did this predicament happen? What can we do about it? The book answers those questions by explaining that academic and practicing engineers, in collaboration with public sector leaders, need to: Eliminate/markedly reduce the adverse effects of U.S. engineering licensure-exemption laws Broaden and deepen the education and experience required for PEs to be consistent with today's challenges and opportunities Engineering's Public-Protection Predicament offers numerous action ideas for interested individuals and organizations, within and outside of engineering, who want to take engineering up to the next level and, more specifically, improve public safety. The suggested actions will enable engineers, with assistance from others, to resolve American engineering's public-protection predicament. The book provides potential engineering students, and their parents and advisors, examples of engineering excellence and exemplars. It also: Describes multiple careers offered by earning an engineering degree Suggests ways to choose an engineering college Offers advice on how to adopt a growth mindset and succeed as a student Every day across America, water supply systems supply, airplanes fly, chemical plants process, dams dam, generators generate, water treatment plants treat, carnival rides spin, wind turbines turn, refineries refine, pipelines pipe, nuclear reactors react, bridges cross, offshore oil wells pump, and satellites orbit. All of us have a stake in engineering. Engineering's Public-Protection Predicament will help concerned citizen stakeholders and potential engineers more fully understand engineering's successes and challenges. This book will also enable engineering educators and practitioners, along with licensing boards, engineering societies, and others to build on achievements and resolve engineering's public-protection predicament.

Full Product Details

9780970143815

Table of Contents

Reviews

We cannot fail to act or our profession will not attain/maintain status as a profession. Brad Aldrich, PE, F.ASCE, F.NSPE, NSPE Past President, Senior Associate, Aldrich + Elliot. A truly outstanding book that has the potential to contribute significantly to making engineering a true profession...should be required reading for all engineering students. Monte L. Phillips, PhD, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, F.NSPE, Professor, Emeritus, University of North Dakota, ABET Past President, NAFE Past President, NSPE Past President. I did not anticipate that I would enjoy reading the book -- as opposed to reviewing the book -- as much as I have. Thomas A. Lenox, PhD, Dist.M.ASCE, F.ASEE, Executive Vice-President, Emeritus, ASCE. A spectacular book explaining and advocating for advancement of the engineering profession. Kassim M. Tarhini, PhD, PE, Professor of Civil Engineering, U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Case studies are extremely well written and illustrated and will be of real interest to the general public. Jonathan Jones, PE, PH, D.WRE, Chief Executive Officer, Wright Water Engineers. Makes a convincing case that we need licensure and process to strengthen service and safety for the public. Jeffrey S. Russell, PhD, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, Dean, Division of Continuing Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

We cannot fail to act or our profession will not attain/maintain status as a profession. Brad Aldrich, PE, F.ASCE, F.NSPE, NSPE Past President, Senior Associate, Aldrich + Elliot. A truly outstanding book that has the potential to contribute significantly to making engineering a true profession...should be required reading for all engineering students. Monte L. Phillips, PhD, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, F.NSPE, Professor, Emeritus, University of North Dakota, ABET Past President, NAFE Past President, NSPE Past President. I did not anticipate that I would enjoy reading the book -- as opposed to reviewing the book -- as much as I have. Thomas A. Lenox, PhD, Dist.M.ASCE, F.ASEE, Executive Vice-President, Emeritus, ASCE. A spectacular book explaining and advocating for advancement of the engineering profession. Kassim M. Tarhini, PhD, PE, Professor of Civil Engineering, U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Case studies are extremely well written and illustrated and will be of real interest to the general public. Jonathan Jones, PE, PH, D.WRE, Chief Executive Officer, Wright Water Engineers. Makes a convincing case that we need licensure and process to strengthen service and safety for the public. Jeffrey S. Russell, PhD, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, Dean, Division of Continuing Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison No-holds barred account of how engineers have often been their own worst enemies. Paul Spinden, Professor of Law, School of Law, Liberty University I believe this book will be historically important parallel to several reports published in the early 20th century. Takeya Kawamura, PE, PMP, Senior Research Engineer, Engineering Advancement Association of Japan, Japan Society of Professional Engineers Past President

Author Information

Stuart G. Walesh, PhD, PE, Dist.M.ASCE, F.NSPE, practicing as an independent consultant-teacher-author, provides management, engineering, leadership, and education services to business, public, academic, and other organizations. He earned engineering degrees from Valparaiso University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Wisconsin. Walesh's technical specialty is water resources engineering, he researched and published eight books, and current interests include creativity and innovation and the education and early experience of engineers.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available